The Institute for Policy, Strategy, and Developmental Studies, Inc. (IPSDI) recently hosted three batches (February 5, March 17, and April 30, 2021) of insightful whole-day workshops conducted by former Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV.
Each batch was attended by an average of 20 participants coming from diverse backgrounds: students, lawyers, and managers from the government and private sectors.
The online workshops delved into the rationale of government, the potential of public policy as an effective instrument for addressing both national and local issues, and the public policy formulation process which included very engaging breakout sessions.
It was emphasized how policymakers without the correct values and basic foundation of public policymaking end up creating policies that are either impossible to effectively implement or lead to detrimental outcomes.
Examples of failed policies/policy proposals include the mandatory filling up of health declaration forms, mandatory use of face shields, motorcycle crime prevention law, and the government’s policy response to drug abuse.
Former Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV provided participants with a solid understanding of the criteria for evaluating policy alternatives, which is an integral part of effective public policy formulation.
Here are some pieces of feedback we got from participants:
“I like the group work. I really appreciate that it was a hands-on workshop.”
“I like the clarity of the topics that Prof. Trillanes have taught us. In a span of 4 hours, lessons good for more than 1 semester were tackled with ease.”
“What I liked most about the workshop is the breakout sessions with my group mates. It allowed us to practice, exercise, and apply what we learned during the discussion. It also made us realize that some problems may sound easy to solve by making a policy, but critical thinking and thinking outside of the box are truly essential to be able to solve the problem. Looking forward to more workshops like this!”
By engaging in the breakout sessions and applying their newfound skills to real organizational problems, attendees walked away with practical experience in developing public policy solutions. These workshops exemplify the importance of fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities in leaders, as they confront the growing complexities and challenges in their organizations.
